Course Title: Implement human rights principles with justice environments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: JUST5713

Course Title: Implement human rights principles with justice environments

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6124 - Advanced Diploma of Justice

Course Contact: Irene Pagliarella, Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4581

Course Contact Email: irene.pagliarella@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Successful completion of, or demonstrated equivalence to, the following units of competency:

VU20868 Apply foundation legal principles
VU20869 Work within the criminal justice system
VU20870 Apply writing and presentation skills within a justice environment
VU20871 Support the management of adult offenders within the Victorian correctional framework
PSPOHS401B Implement workplace safety procedures and programs
PSPETHC401A Uphold and support the values and principles of public service

And ONE of the following electives:

CHCAOD402B Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector
LGACOM406A Investigate alleged breaches of legislation and prepare documentation

Course Description

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to implement legal advocacy and enforcement of human rights within justice contexts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU20855 Implement human rights principles within justice environments

Element:

1. Review human rights protection in Australia

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Development of national and international human rights, including perspectives, legislation, treaties, conventions and protocols is critically researched 1.2 Principles, practices and debates on Australian dualist traditions of law are delineated and discussed 1.3 Australian legislation and system of courts and tribunals designed to deal with human rights issues are identified

Element:

2. Respond to justice enforcement issues in relation to human rights violations

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Legislation and inter-jurisdictional processes regarding trafficking of people are examined 2.2 Issues for justice workers in responding to refugees and victims of people trafficking are identified and debated 2.3 Responses to enforcement issues within own current justice context are determined in consultation with relevant people and practised

Element:

3. Develop advocacy strategies for groups and individuals experiencing inequality

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Groups who experience human rights issues of inequality or marginalisation in Australian society are identified 3.2 Models and theories that inform human rights advocacy strategies within justice contexts are researched, critically analysed, documented and evaluated in consultation with relevant people 3.3 Advocacy strategies are determined and applied to own current justice context 3.4 Ways to review, share and learn advocacy skills with others are identified and practised

Learning Outcomes


On completion of the course, you will be able to:
• Apply justice enforcement principles and processes to human rights violations within the parameters of own justice context
• Determine and apply advocacy strategies to promote human rights within the parameters of own justice context for people experiencing inequality and/or marginalisation
• Provide knowledge of legislation, declarations, conventions, treaties and protocols relevant to Australian approaches to human rights


Details of Learning Activities

Students will participate in a variety of learning activities and include:
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• Blog/Wiki or other online discussions and participation
• analysis/critique of relevant reading material
• seminars/workshops
• group activities/projects
• group discussion
• research
• independent project based work
• Simulated and/or practical placement.


Teaching Schedule

7th July
8.30 am Introduction to Human Rights –
Assessments and Overview of Unit.

The political and historical sphere of Human Rights – Formation of the United Nations and Geneva Convention.
Evidence Based Research and Inequality
Human Rights Principles.
Human Rights activity
Handouts
14th July
Session 2


International Criminal Court.
Evidence Based Research into relationships between limited access to resources through inequality.

United Nations minimum standards for prisoners and Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Australian Dualist Traditions of Law
Monist Systems V Traditionalist.
Legal obligations of treaties and conventions and protocols. Students to debate -
Case study analysis
21st
July

180 min  Session 3
 Legislation Victorian Charter
 Legislation in the ACT
 Victorian Human Rights ACT
 Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act – VCAT ( Victorian Civil and Administration Tribunal).
 Theories of Social justice and Power relations.
Research Task on Legislation.

180 28th July  Session 4 - Customs and Federal Law – Processes for Adult-sex slavery
 UN protocols for the Elimination of Trafficking for Women
 Child Sex slavery
 Subjugation
 Forced labor
 Trafficking and genocide
• Research Task in class –Group discussion and Case studies
• Case File assessment starts.
• Practical exercises and film
• Poster due.

4th August 180 min
 Session: Five .Cultural differences , perspectives on interpretation of human rights provision within Australia
 Terroism
 Cultural relativism and universalism
 UN elimination of child soldiers
 African communities.
Case study – Group Discussion on Case study and analysis on Ethics in the sector.

 

 

11th of August


180
Min

Session: Six
Human Rights Violations – Amnesty International -
Psychological effects of refugees and asylum seekers Racism and Discrimination and prejudice.
Warfare, Torture and persecution and nature of journey to Australia.
Concepts of Authority within the Justice setting.

Relgious adherences that violate Australian Law.
Group Discussion and Guest speaker. in class.Reflection on guest speakers.
18th August

180min

• Session 7 . Gay rights ( LGBTIQ)
Interpersonal skills to identify and respond to stakeholders principles and advocacy
Discrimination and Sexual Identity -

Collective feedback to class
Case studies – Group and Individual reading and discussion in class. Role-plays in class interviewing clients and other students using tools.
.

 

25th August

 


180 min
Session: Seven:

• Advocacy skills – Types, to promote human rights within the justice environment.
• The role of privacy and Ethics in court systems and corrections

• Advocacy role plays. – Group work.

28th – 3rd September. Holidays -

7th September

180
Min Session 8. Advocacy Strategies

Social Policy
Lobbying government and provoking debates
Policy development
Conflict of Power

Communication exercises and role-plays – in class discussion n groups.
10th September


Session 9 Community Education and Implementation of practice policies and procedures to promote Human rights. Film and analysis on stages of change – group discussion
Handout – Role plays.
17th September . . No classes.

24th September 180 min

Session 10. Representing groups - Professional networking, and promoting critical analysis skills to guide and identify and evaluate research models that inform human rights
Debate Debates.
• Assessment 2 (Report and Feedback due)
• Writing case notes in class.
30th September
Session: Eleven Providing advocacy strategies to groups –
Group discussion.


180 min
October 7th
• Session: Twelve: –. Advocacy debates on people promoting human rights for people experiencing inequality and moralization.
• In class task – case study analysis.
14th October
8.30 am.
Session Thirteen Evaluation of Advocacy Strategies and class.

 

NOTE: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain competency.
You are expected to attend all scheduled classes and some classes will have sessions that are compulsory to attend (please see individual course guides). If you cannot attend a class you should advise your RMIT Educator, as RMIT monitors all student attendance.
As a student, competency is demonstrated through both knowledge and practical skills relevant to the course content and within the classroom environment. Engagement with educators and other students is critical to you maximising learning opportunities and achieving satisfactory results. Participation in classroom discussion and activities will allow educators to apply observational assessment during role-plays, exercises and assignments and provide you with feedback.
Absence from class can seriously limit your ability to pass or achieve good results. You may be asked to attend a meeting to explain more than three absences from a subject and enter into a negotiated plan of action with your Educator. This meeting is recommended as an early intervention approach that may possibly identify any underlying issues which may be affecting your attendance and identify support that RMIT may be able to give you.
Clearly, non-attendance at an assessment will result in failure of that assessment. If your academic progress is reviewed, a good class attendance may be helpful in showing evidence of your commitment to your studies in Justice.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

References
All readings and other resources necessary for this course will be available through Blackboard.
GUSS Skills Central (http://gussskillscentral.edu.au/) is a site developed specifically for students in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT. It provides links to a range of resources for supporting student work on assessments and negotiating university studies more generally.

 

Other Resources

PowerPoint’s for the lectures will generally be made available AFTER the class; however these are not a replacement for attending lectures. Lectures may have additional information, activities or visual material, which will not be available through Blackboard.
It is essential that you access the Blackboard site at least once a week, as announcements and emails are considered an effective means of communication between educators and students.


Overview of Assessment

Assessments may incorporate a variety of methods including role plays, debates, observations, lectures, tutorials, class discussions, reports, group/individual training workshops, and audio-visual presentations.


Assessment Tasks

Assessments.
Assessment 1. Due date: 7th October.
You are to write a 2500-word Report on a human rights topic of choice. This is worth 50% of the assessment grade. Include minimum 6 references.
The following sections need to be addressed within your submission:

Historical Background
• History of the group, issue or topic (e.g. historical issues of being Jewish, history of organ transplant capability, the ethnic demographics of minority groups in a larger society, etc.)
• Geographical location-where in the world is this topic centered? Is the geographical space important or causal factor in the topic? (E.g. Palestinians and the Middle East, ethnic conflict in the former Yugoslavia, the Sudan, HIV in Africa, monitories in South Africa, etc.)
• Religious /cultural/Tribal factors (e.g. Christian vs. Muslin, Shiite vs. Sunni Muslims, roman Catholics vs. Anglican in Northern Ireland, etc.) tensions which have added to the tensions?
• Government/Legal Structures-What kind of government (formal, tribal, provincial, etc.) and what Justice structures (police, courts, corrections-style of System-Adversarial, Inquisitorial, Tribal Elders, Religious Courts have been in place?
• Environment-what natural resources or manufacturing base provide revenue for public government? Is this also a causal factor? (E.G. Oil in Syria, Oil in South Sudan, diamond in Nigeria, western money and the shortage of organs for transplant, the need for cheap labor and slavery, etc.).
Current Situation
• What is the current situation of the people or aspects of your topic? (E.g.: people in refugee camps, forced migration to avoid conflict, anarchy and lawlessness?
• What government agencies are either involved in resolving the issue or allowing/allowed it to occur (E.g.: laws in Germany to prevent Jews from working or owning business, the breakdown of Yugoslavia, civil war and the creation of North and South Sudan.
• Issues of Human rights alleged violations (e.g. : forced migration, arbitrary detention, genocide, personal safety, slavery, torture, rape, etc.) identified with your topic.
Advocacy
• Are the Formal Societal protections in place (e.g.: Justice Systems) actively engaged with other global agencies to address the issues (e.g.: Interpol, treaty agreements with other countries, etc.)?
• Are there Non-Government Agencies or Peak Bodies playing an active Advocacy role in this issue? What strategies have they adopted (E.G.: The UN, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc.) to keep the issues on the world stage?
• Are these Peak Bodies formally working with the Justice systems in the country to working in opposition?
Analysis of the topic
• Analysis of the current state of play and potential outcomes if the advocacy roles are fulfilled (e.g. Ombudsman, H.R. commissions, etc.).
• What holistic responses need to be brought to bear to address this (e.g.: adequate shelter for refuges, appropriate visa processing for protection visas, basic life support –food, clothing, shelter, medical treatment to match the changing seasons proactively, funding medical research for stem cell development, etc.)?
Recommendations
• Does there need to be UN Security Council action? What form should it take (economic sanctions, call for peace keeping force, etc.)?
• If a National or State issue, is the Advocacy body actively pushing to redress the violations?
TOPICS TO CHOOSE FROM:
• Asylum seekers, Refugees and the Australian Mandatory detention policy
• Women and human rights in India
• Human Trafficking-child sex trade
• Detainees at Guantanamo Bay
• Europe’s Refugee Crisis
• Criminalization of people based on their sexual orientation
• Access hindered to education by children/ girls specifically
• Child labor
• Military Rape Survivors
• Abuse against people who suffer physical or intellectual disabilities

 

Assessment 2. Presentation and POSTER Instructions Due date: Week 4. 21st July. (Group)
You are to make a poster on your topic. This is worth 40% of your assessment grade.
Identify the key variables and present a summary of your points with the use of a clear visual design, including appropriate font size, graphics and formats. You will be assessed on conceptual understanding, outlines solutions, states the problem; an overall good visual presentation. It can be presented as an electronic copy (using software, or a scanned image of a completed poster), or submit a hard copy (no bigger than A3 on foam core board). Be creative, not graphic!
This has to be on Human Rights issues .

Focus on Four Points for planning your poster:
1. The Message
2. The Design
1. Size Matters (landscape vs portrait)
2. Choosing Colour and Graphics
3. The Production
1. Lamination, Mounted, Double side sticky tape, Blue tack, Velcro tags goo!
4. Revisions & Awareness
1. Accessibility
2. Time and Tinkering...

Assessment 3 : Debate : 10% Each student to form groups – 2 sides to discuss Traditional V Monist Law or Harm Minimisation V No Harm minimisation policy or Medical Marijuana.
 


Assessment Matrix

This is available via MyRMIT/Studies
The assessments have been designed to cover all Learning Outcomes and will be graded in accordance with RMIT’s Mark Table which is as follows:
Assessment Grading Table
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did not Submit for Assessment
Grades which apply to course delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment (not-graded)
CA Competency Achieved
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit For Assessment
Assessment Deadlines

Any due date for any assignment is to be considered a deadline. You can submit work at any time prior to the submission date, but it must be into the Administration office by close of business (5pm) of the day the submission is due.
Assessment Format
A major part of your course requires writing, for essays, research and reports. ALL Justice VE educators will expect you to maintain a high standard of presentation in your writing. These standards include the following:
1. For a CERTIFICATE IV each written assessment task/s – up to 1500 words, 3 academic references and ONE in-text citation per paragraph.
2. A paragraph is usually between 200 – 250 words.
3. A sentence is usually between 20 - 25 words.
4. American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing Style is the EXPECTED referencing style for the school of Criminal Justice (VE).
5. We highly recommend that all students download a copy of the APA Referencing Guide which is available on the Blackboard or purchase a Pocket Guide to APA style from the campus bookshop.
6. APA Referencing system is to be used and all in-text citations must be recorded according to APA standards.
7. An academic reference is a scholarly source (journal articles that are peer reviewed, a published book, an approved government or organisation website etc).
8. Written reports, research projects or essays are to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and familiarity with the prescribed or negotiated topics
9. It is expected that all submitted work will be well written, with clear and consistent grammar, expression and punctuation. It must be well structured and address the issues raised in the chosen topic in a logical ordered and organised manner.
10. Written submissions must demonstrate appropriate preparation, reading and research.
11. Double or 1.5 spacing and a font size of 10-12 must be used in either Arial or Times Roman. Do not submit double paged assessments.
12. All assignments to be submitted via the Drop Box (Building 37, level 2) and submitted via email to the Advanced Diploma email address to verify submission justice.ve.assignments@rmit.edu.au.
Assessments must be submitted by 5pm (close of business).
13. Written assessments will also be submitted with a Turnitin Report attached (as instructed by your Educator).
If you have any difficult with understanding or completing these writing standards, please speak with your Educator or the Program Manager.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students.

Cover Sheet for Submissions


You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of implications of plagiarism.

Please refer to the following link for on-line submission statements;

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/teaching/technology/esubmission

 

Cover sheets do NOT form part of your word limit for written assessment tasks.

 

Assignment Submissions:

The submission of assessments on the due date is the responsibility solely of the student. Students should not leave assignment preparation until the last minute and must plan their workloads so as to be able to meet advertised or notified deadlines.

If you have not been granted an extension or special consideration, you need to submit any work that has been completed on the due date.

For assignments 1 to 10 days late, a penalty of 10% (of the marks awarded) per day will apply. For assignments more than 10 days late, a penalty of 100% will apply. Weekend days (Saturday and Sunday) are considered when counting total late days for electronic submissions but not for hardcopy submissions.

Attendance


It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Applying for an Extension

Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. Speak with your teacher or course coordinator regarding applying for an extension.

Applying for Special Consideration

If you are seeking an extension of more than seven calendar days (from the original due date) you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. For information about Special Consideration and how to apply, see:

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship through respecting the work of others whilst having the freedom to build new insights, new knowledge and ideas. RMIT University upholds the values of academic integrity as fundamental to the scholarship undertaken by all members of its community. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (either by directly quoting or paraphrasing them) you must acknowledge your source.

 

If you are even in doubt about how to properly cite a reference, consult your lecturer or the academic integrity website: http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity

The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your referencing http://www1.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing

Plagiarism and Collusion

Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious academic misconduct, and are forms of cheating. You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Plagiarism is not acceptable.

Examples of plagiarism include:

  1. Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
  2. Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
  3. Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
  4. Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
  5. Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
  6. Copying a whole or any part of another student's work; and
  7. Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
  8. Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work is also an offence.

 

For further information, please see the RMIT Plagiarism Policy –  http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1 (unresolved) – and the RMIT Student Conduct Regulations – http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r7a7an6qug93

 

Plagiarism Software

The originality verification software Turnitin may be used in this course. For details, see: http://www.turnitin.com

 

Complaints Procedure:

RMIT University is committed to providing a harmonious study and work environment for all students and staff. The University recognises your right to raise concerns about academic, administrative or support services without recrimination and has policies and procedures to assist in the resolution of complaints.

Most issues are resolved at the local level and you are encouraged to take steps to resolve your issue locally. The student complaint procedure details steps to take if your problem is not resolved or you believe the response you received is unreasonable.

 

Student Complaints Policy: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/studentcomplaintspolicy

Student complaints Procedure: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=i1lexipvjt22

Student Complaints Form: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/v4ujvmyojugxz.pdf

Course Overview: Access Course Overview